30 November 2006

For some weird reason, a couple of weeks ago, I made the "Vegan Lunch Box" Fondue recipe for my first go at the cookbook. It's weird because I don't care for cheesy things (except the artichoke dip at Green) and I had no idea what I was going to dip in it. It's also weird but more on the stupid side, that this recipe has been posted on her blog for months and I never had a desire to make it then, so why would it be the first thing I made with the book?! Weird. Anyway, I made this fondue and modified it a lot. I didn't take notes because I wasn't that thrilled in the first place. I know I added garlic and made it spicy, added more nutritional yeast and a few other things. Basically, I made it as-is from the book and it was too bland for me (and weird) so I doctored it. Let's just say this needs work. I can understand how a child would like this dip because it is creamy, simple and bland, but Ray grossed me out by saying (at the end of the "meal") that it reminded him of either cafeteria cheese or the cheese that pours out of those metal square boxes at gas stations. When he said that my whole opinion of the meal went downhill. I am willing to give this another go, just modified a lot more and possibly by having it not as thick. It was sort of dance-y and wiggly. It was a weird meal that I quickly threw together. I served it with way too old bread, some purple potatoes (aka smooshies), raw carrots and raw green bell peppers. It pretty much wasn't the best but the idea was good (yet at the last minute). Then, about an hour later I wasn't feeling so grossed out, so I ate half a pint of Turtle Trails. Then I was happy.

PS... Sorry for a crappy "disaster" post.PPS... I don't have a fondue maker/set. This was made with a saucepot and consumed with a regular fork.

22 comments:

I think it's great to include "crappy disaster posts" - it's part of trying new things after all.

I have to say, that I really agree with you about this recipe. I tried it off the website, and was so grossed out after 2-3 tastes that I threw the whole thing away. I've made other vegan lunch box recipes that I really liked - but unfortunately - this failure makes me a bit more hesitant to just pick up the cookbook and try any ol new thing. You know?

I made that same schmoo fondue back in August (I think I put pictures on the blog a few weeks ago- scratches head- I don't remember!) and I agree with you. It was way too bland. But we upped the miso and the lemon juice and the spices, and after that, it was fun to dip things into. I was really craving fondue, so this hit the spot. I will be the vegan who admits that I really really loved cheese, and nothing vegan has really substituted for it. =(Well, maybe FYH and cheezly... maybe.

Yeah, that recipe never appealed to me either. I always thought it would be if I made it, it would just be too 'vegan', and by that I mean what people thing plain non-flavorful vegan food, served with sticks.No true offense to the lunchbox gods.

I will say that the continuing presence of purple potatoes rules. You inspired me to buy 2 purple and 1 blue last night at the coop!

What a weird and freaky coincidence. I was just preparing my shopping list and wanted to eat a lot of veggies and was trying to think of a good way to eat them and I thought about this fondue which I got off her website eons ago. Ok. I'm going to scratch it off my list because I just don't have the desire to modify it at this point. I'll let you do that and then I'll make Leslie's Fondue!

Oh, too bad. If YOU coudn't make it good, we'll just have to find another sauce. Sometimes I thinks it's best not to try to make "cheese." We just need a sauce or a dip.

I'm planning on making one of your soups or sloppy lenitls tonight. I'll have to see what's in the pantry, but I saw the comment above about the gypsy soup, so I'm really anxious to make something yummy! It got all arctic here and I'm freezing! It was 82 yesterday!

Yeah, even before going raw that didn't appeal to me at all! Funny how sometimes you want to do something sort of subconsciously and then go and do it even though your conscious mind is going - "ya know, I don't really like this idea!"Never mind - you have to share the good and the bad. And the purple potatoes are SO DARN COOL!

Aw, poor leslie! When you told me you made cheese fondue, I thought it was weird. You and faux cheese??? Anyway, Like springsandwells said above, disasters happen and it's not a bad thing to post about them because it's a part of the process.

I have got to stop being so lazy and buy some of those darn purple potatoes! They are so pretty. And then I don't have to feel as bad about eating a beige, starchy meal, right? Right? :)

I was pretty surprised to see you make this, as it resembles a 'cheesy' look, but the picture looks good! I especially love the potatoes! Sorry it didnt work out, hearing all the feedback everyone's left, I dont think this is one Ill be trying.

However, I would have loved to be there for the 'second course' of dinner for the Turtle Trails. : ) That stuff is so addicting I could eat it by the pint.

I'm back to let you know I made the Gypsy Soup and it was really really good. I also made Nava's Wholewheat Oat Walnut muffins from the bread section of the soup book to go with the soup. Tofu Noodle Soup is next!

It's OK that you post the disasters, then other people will know what not to make! Haha but I always modify recipes too.. before I make the actual one, so I never know exactly what it's supposed to be like.

I never used to like nutritional yeast, but now I love it - it's such an odd thing. I can eat it on sandwiches and all kinds of things.

I think it's one of those love/hat foods for people. Much like cilantro I guess. Or licorice. Or cabbage. For me, love the first two of these, really don't like the last one!

It's tough too with recipes, sometimes people like more subtle, less prominent flavors in foods, and then others much more bold flavors, so it's difficult for one recipe to please everybody - I've learned that over and over. And over!

I just wanted to put in one good word for the fondue - I love it and eat it all the time with slices of toast cut into long strips as my I'm-too-tired-to-make-dinner dinner. It's a bit surprising that I like it so much since I've always been easily grossed out by cheese textures (any Kraft cheese, Cheez Whiz, etc.), but there you go. One thing: the recipe on the web site suggests substituting vinegar for the miso, and I like it better that way.

Are you kidding? I love this fondue!! I'll admit, the first time I tried it I was a little unsure about it and thought it tasted a little weird. I think that was due to it being my first time of ever having nutritional yeast though. Anyway, it definitely grew on me, and is now one of my favorites! Potatoes and crusty bread are the best to dip I think. Oh well, to each his own.

With so many negative reviews I don't think that I'm about to try this recipe. Thanks for letting us know about your experience with it. I agree with everyone else that it's important to post disasters.

You've inspired me to buy some purple potatoes! I have some in my kitchen and I think that I'll make the mashed potatoes that you posted earlier. I'm so excited to cut them open and see the vibrant purpleness!